Juliari Batubara 5 Times Charter Plane Rental, Some Pay Thousands Of US Dollars

JAKARTA - Operations staff of PT Cakra Elang Omega Prananta Anando revealed five times the private plane charter was for the transportation of former Social Minister Juliari Batubara to a number of areas.

"In the BAP, you mentioned that on August 19, 2020 the company paid Rp. 125,415,812 million to PT Angkasa Super Service / Lion Bizjet for the Halim-Palopo-Ujung-Pandang-Halim flights, correct?" asked the KPK public prosecutor (JPU) Ikhsan Fernandi at the Jakarta Corruption Crime Court (Tipikor), quoted by Antara, Wednesday, May 19.

"Yes, that's right," answered Prananta Anando, who was a witness to the former Social Minister Juliari Batubara who was accused of accepting bribes of Rp32.482 billion from 109 companies providing COVID-19 social assistance.

"Who uses tofu?" asked the prosecutor.

"I know that using the Minister of Social Affairs, Mr. Juliari. Because we are submitting a charter application, we must know who wants to rent beforehand," said Prananta.

According to Prananta, his company does not own an airplane, but only an intermediary company that receives payment from the tenant and then pays it to the fleet owner.

"The second flight on October 6, 2020, the company paid Rp.221,318,182 to PT Angkasa Super Service on the Halim-Surabaya-Halim route?" asked the prosecutor.

"Yes, that's what Mrs. Selvy ordered. Initially we sent an offer after she agreed, then I took the payment funds," said Prananta.

Selvy in question is Juliari Batubara's personal secretary.

"At that time, those who went to Surabaya had a capacity of 7 passengers," added Prananta.

The third flight was on October 16, 2020, PT Cakra Elang Omega paid a deposit of US $ 22,972.83 to PT Indonesia Air on the Halim-Denpasar-Halim route.

The fourth flight will be on November 2, 2020 by paying IDR 167,219,118 for the Halim-Semarang-Halim route.

"Yes, I received rupiah even though we submitted it in US dollars," said Prananta.

The fifth payment is on November 2, 2020 at a payment of 23,312.33 US dollars for the November 1, 2020 flight on the Halim-Denpasar-Halim route.

"There were 4 orders made by Mrs. Selvy, as I remember the Minister of Social Affairs' visit," added Prananta.

However, Selvy, who was also a witness at the trial, admitted that he only paid for Juliari's trip on November 3, 2020 to go to Kendal for IDR 400 million.

The payment was made by the Head of the General Bureau of the Ministry of Social Affairs Adi Wahyono by handing over Rp400 million in cash which was a conversion of 18 thousand US dollars.

The prosecutor of the KPK also played a recorded conversation between Selvy and Adi Wahyono regarding the payment for the charter plane.

Selvi: Hello Sir, the bill is for a private jet

Adi: Yes, I asked the state printing company

Selvi: hehehe

Adi: Yes, how much do you pay for the private jet? Exactly how much and where to pay

Selvi: Transfer is allowed, I can

Adi: How much rupiah or dollar?

Selvi: USD

"I contacted Mr. Adi Pak, it was my own initiative because I usually coordinate the needs of the Minister with the General Bureau according to the orders of the Minister," said Selvy.

Selvy then received cash in the form of rupiah.

"I immediately called Mr. Ando to pay for the plane rental to Kendal via Semarang airport," added Selvy.

The indictment states that "fees" from companies providing COVID-19 basic food assistance were used for a number of Juliari Batubara's needs, including payments for private aircraft, among others:

1. Payments for charter planes (private jets) for Juliar's work visit activities as Minister of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Social Affairs' entourage to Lampung amounting to IDR 270 million

2. Payment for Juliari's plane (private jet) and the Ministry of Social Affairs' entourage on a working visit to Denpasar Bali amounting to IDR 270 million

3. Payment for Juliari's private jet and the Ministry of Social Affairs' entourage during a working visit to Semarang amounting to 18 thousand US dollars